Assistant Director
The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky seeks qualified candidates for the position of Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Outreach. The Gatton Academy is a public residential STEM program established and funded by the Kentucky legislature. It is located on the campus of Western Kentucky University. Students complete their last two years of high school in the program while earning at least 60 hours of college credit. This is a 12-month position that reports to the Gatton Academy Director. Gatton staff are employees of WKU.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain a robust, engaged Gatton alumni network that actively supports The Gatton Academy, as well as the greater Gatton Community.
- Build relationships with organizations and businesses to enhance opportunities for Gatton students throughout Kentucky and beyond.
- Lead development efforts, establishing clear development plans and goals reaching various stakeholders.
Essential Functions
- Alumni Relations
- Develop a supportive community among alumni consistent with Gatton's creed of Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Equality, and Diversity through creative educational, cultural, social, and recreational programming.
- Find, create, and promote opportunities for alumni to connect with each other and with current students.
- Build alumni networks across the country to support recent graduates as they transition to other colleges and universities.
- Coordinate all communications, electronic and otherwise, with Gatton alumni, including biannual publications, event communications, general updates and more.
- Develop a mentorship program that connects alumni with current students.
- Coordinate, promote, and host regional alumni gatherings, as well as events in conjunction with Gatton staff's travel schedules and recruitment efforts.
- Plan and coordinate alumni reunions.
- Coordinate Gatton Summer Family Picnics.
- Develop Gatton alumni study abroad programs in coordination with the Assistant Director of Academic Services.
- Outreach
- Develop a paper and digital magazine highlighting current students' activities and alumni distributed to all stakeholders.
- Organize events to connect with legislators, WKU faculty, donors, and alumni in Bowling Green, throughout the state, and across the country.
- Create and implement development plans for various stakeholders, particularly alumni and Gatton parents.
- Write proposals for grants and other development opportunities.
- Create publications and social media content to support partnership and development efforts.
- Maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, educators, and leaders throughout Kentucky to positively promote Gatton.
- Assist with recruitment efforts across the state.
- Administrative or Managerial Functions
- Supervise and evaluate the efficacy of alumni programs and activities.
- Supervise and evaluate specific development efforts.
- Establish and maintain an extensive alumni database.
- Serve as part of the Gatton Academy leadership team and as a college application process advisor for students.
- Provide leadership and supervision on Gatton study abroad programs for current students.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build effective mentoring relationships with alumni in keeping with the Gatton's Creed of Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Equality, and Diversity.
- Effective leadership, mentorship, and organizational skills.
- Ability to plan successful events within a limited budget.
Compensation and Benefits
- 12-month position
- Professional development within Gatton and the University at-large.
- Salary range of $50,000 to $60,000 annually, with benefits package including options for medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, partial University tuition waiver, University Bookstore discount, and reduced-price membership to the University's health and fitness facility.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Experience planning events such as alumni reunions.
- Experience leading successful fundraising efforts.
- Must be willing to work a variable schedule that includes evening hours and weekends.
- Must be willing to travel for events.
- Must be at least 21 years of age and hold a valid driver's license.
- Must be willing to submit to a state and national criminal history background check.